Thoughts from afar on Raiders loss to Falcons

Stayed behind for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. For quotes and a first-hand account, read beat writer Jerry McDonald’s game story and notebook. Here’s my take on what I watched before covering the 49ers-Giants game at Candlestick Park.
The Raiders were more than prepared for this game coming off their bye week. Even so, they lost their first game after a bye for the 10th straight season.
Yet, few can fault the Raiders for coming out flat Sunday. They had the ball late in the game, with the score tied, and well within Sebastian Janikowsk’s field-goal range.
Then came Carson Palmer’s ill-advised pass for Denarius Moore that was intercepted by cornerback Asante Samuel and returned seemingly for a backbreaking touchdown.
The Raiders showed moxie by responding with a long drive to tie the game. Their only sin was leaving too much time on the clock, 40 seconds, for the Falcons to mount a game-deciding drive.
Moral victories don’t mean much in the NFL. Yet, the Raiders can take from this game the knowledge that are talented enough to hang with the best teams in the league.

— Beating teams such as the Falcons entails cutting down on the mistakes. On Sunday, the Raiders had plenty, certainly far too many.
They committed 12 penalties for 110 yards, whereas they were called for 19 for 143 yards in their first four games combined. The Palmer interception and fumble, as well as a Darren McFadden fumble, certainly didn’t help, either.

— Tight end Brandon Myers went the first four games without a dropped pass. In fact, he caught 16 of the 17 passes thrown his way in those games.
On Sunday, Myers was unable to hang on to a pass from Palmer in the end zone late in the second quarter. A Raiders official asked if I am sure the ball wasn’t deflected.
Based off the replays I saw, it didn’t appear as if the ball was deflected, though the defender’s arm no doubt distracted Myers.
Either way, I’m sure Myers will tell you that he should have caught the ball, which arrived at the chest region and in position for him to get his hands on the ball.

— McFadden rushed 27 times for 70 yards. He now stands at 271 yards on 84 carries through five games, an average of 3.2
In McFadden’s defense, he played hurt most of the game and had two sizable runs negated by penalty. Still, it’s puzzling how Mike Goodson amassed 59 yards on four carries and seemed to get past the line of scrimmage with relative ease.
Coincidence? Who knows.

— Saw a Tweet before the game that said Janikowski converted a 64-yard field goal in pre-game warm-ups. Given that, it’s a tad surprising that coach Dennis Allen bypassed a chance at a 58-yard attempt in the first quarter.
Allen no doubt didn’t want to give the Falcons the ball at their own 48 if Janikowski missed the attempt. As it turned out, Shane Lechler’s punt went into the end zone, resulting in a 28-yard difference in field position.
You make the call on that one. It says here, Janikowski is on the team because he has the ability to make such kicks. It’s for other teams to punt in that situation.

— Sure, the Raiders are 1-4, a spot where few teams emerge and make it to the playoffs. However, the Raiders are about to embark upon a three-game stretch in which they have a realistic shot at evening their record.
They host the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4), play the Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) on the road, then host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) in the next 15 days.
If the Raiders reach 4-4, the playoffs remain a distinct possibility. Losing any of the next three games puts a damper on the Raiders playoff aspirations.

— The Raiders went their first four games without notching an interception. To a man, the Raiders said they were on the verge of breaking through.
Sure enough, the Raiders intercepted Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan three times Sunday. Michael Huff, Joselio Hanson and Tyvon Branch each picked Ryan once.

— The Raiders made the Falcons one-dimensional by shutting down their running game from the outset.
Michael Turner and the two other running backs amassed only 30 yards on 14 carries. Time and again, the Raiders stuffed the Falcons on short-yardage plays, including a couple of times near the goal line.

Tell me how Hue would have fixed the $40 million cap deficit. Tell me what Hue would have done with his 5 draft picks after the 3rd round. Tell me how Hue would have dealt with the injuries in the secondary. Tell me how Hue would have reclaimed the respect of the locker room after the team quit on him, and he pasted them in the post game presser. Tell me how Hue’s utter lack of discipline would have made this team improve.
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1)CAP-not hues job
2)hue had his picks already,DMAC,DMOORE,VELDEER,WIZ,REECE,FORD,BRANCH,HUFF,ETC
3)INJURIES- LETS SEE HE DEALT WITH JC.DMAC,FORD,DMOORE INJURIES JUST FINE
4)IF PLAYERS CANT HANDLE A LIL CRITICISM AS THEY GET PAID MILLIONS THEN GET OUT DONT WANT YOU HERE ANYWAY

5)PENALTIES- ON EVERY WINNING RAIDERS TEAM WE HAD PENALTY ISSUES, MADDEN, FLORES,GRUDEN,CALLAHAN, WE WERE JUST GOOD ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THEM ONCE AGAIN COMMON RAIDER KNOWLEDGE.

Like the players are really buying into Knapp and crappy offensive system and the whacked special teams coach and a deer under the headlights former Bronco coach like DA as their leader?

Seymour and Kelly will be gone next year and so will Huff and maybe even McClain. Those guys don’t give a crap about playing for this new coaching regime.

They are tired of it.

DKnight007

eastoaklandraider Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Tell me how Hue would have fixed the $40 million cap deficit. Tell me what Hue would have done with his 5 draft picks after the 3rd round. Tell me how Hue would have dealt with the injuries in the secondary. Tell me how Hue would have reclaimed the respect of the locker room after the team quit on him, and he pasted them in the post game presser. Tell me how Hue’s utter lack of discipline would have made this team improve.
—————
1)CAP-not hues job
2)hue had his picks already,DMAC,DMOORE,VELDEER,WIZ,REECE,FORD,BRANCH,HUFF,ETC
3)INJURIES- LETS SEE HE DEALT WITH JC.DMAC,FORD,DMOORE INJURIES JUST FINE
4)IF PLAYERS CANT HANDLE A LIL CRITICISM AS THEY GET PAID MILLIONS THEN GET OUT DONT WANT YOU HERE ANYWAY

5)PENALTIES- ON EVERY WINNING RAIDERS TEAM WE HAD PENALTY ISSUES, MADDEN, FLORES,GRUDEN,CALLAHAN, WE WERE JUST GOOD ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THEM ONCE AGAIN COMMON RAIDER KNOWLEDGE.

^^^^^^^^
Exactly!

Chuck B and his crappy one dimensional defense is what cost Hue and the team the playoffs!

End of story!

Marks hair

Why do you guys want to win a hand full of games against the dregs of the nfl? It only hurts our draft pick.. Id rather start over and build the team right..

DKnight007

Only way McK trades DMC is if he gets a 1st, a 3rd and 2nd Rounder in 2014 draft in return.

Now way any team gives that up.

Maybe the Jets though….they wanted DMC badly when we drafted him ahead of them and they need an explosive RB badly.

DJ Johnny

Saying Huejack lost all respect of the lockerroom is pure speculation.

Not one player has come out and said that and it’s just a guess.

eastoaklandraider

DMAC Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Jax is ranked dead last in total offense.
Stop MJD and we win.
—————-
PUT 8 IN THE BOX STOP MJD AND MAKE GABBERT BEAT US EASY AS PIE RIGHT? WAIT WASNT THAT THE PLAN IN THE MIA GAME?
FCK!!!

Until CP3 is allowed to no huddle 100% of the time, we WILL continue to struggle scoring points.

FACT.

Palmer put up BIG FCKN NUMBERS against PITT. Result: WIN

NO HUDDLE vs DENVER: FCKNG PATHETIC

Last drive vs ATLANTA: EASY SIX

FACT: Palmer needs to TAKE 100% FULL CONTROL OF THE LINE.

ITS A NO FCKNG BRAINER.

FACT: I should be the fckn OC. I would give Palmer the reigns.

Stay the status quo = WE’RE EFFED UP THE BUNGOLA, HARD COPY STYLE

FACT: Thats a FACT. PRINT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DKnight007

Marks hair Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Why do you guys want to win a hand full of games against the dregs of the nfl? It only hurts our draft pick.. Id rather start over and build the team right..

^^^^^^^^
Don’t worry. Raiders won’t win more than 4 games this year. 5 games max.

RaidersAllday_LtsGeTit

Ok I watched that play again where Carson threw that pick six. Was like 2:37 seconds left in the game 3rd and 6.

Reece ran a flat out route and was WIDE OPEN for the first down.. a defender wasnt anywhere near him for like 5 yards.

However CARSON STARES at DMOORE the whole way.. I mean he startes DMOORE down any CB would see .. to top it off he throws the pass behind DMOORE and is an easy pick for Asante. Should have thrown it toward the sideline.

HORRIBLE

RAIDERMAN99

JAGUARS
RAIDERS -4

O/U 43

Carl Weathers

Dennis Allen has a snatch and slomac is the worst MLB in the league.

So glad there are always so many good football games on Sundays so I don’t have to be subjected to watching these flamers.

after yesterday’s performance, which one of these games is a game we can’t win? Ravens run d sucks and hopefully our works by then. Saints D is in shambles. We can still go 12 -4, 11-5, 10-6. Yea I said it, GO RAIDERS

after yesterday’s performance, which one of these games is a game we can’t win? Ravens run d sucks and hopefully our works by then. Saints D is in shambles. We can still go 12 -4, 11-5, 10-6. Yea I said it, GO RAIDERS
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GUESS YOU FORGOT WE LOSE GAMES WE SHOULD WIN AND WIN OR COMPETE IN GAMES WE SHOULD LOSE.

RaidersAllday_LtsGeTit

Carson looked the whole way at dmoore and throws the pass behind him.

That means nothing w/o we are not in the game. If it wasnt for the defense were are not in the game. You think palmer though Dmoore was open? of course not.

He said so after the game. It was his mistake and he tried to force it in there. Big time mistake that shouldnt have happened.

RaidersAllday_LtsGeTit

thought*

Plunketthead

GUESS YOU FORGOT WE LOSE GAMES WE SHOULD WIN AND WIN OR COMPETE IN GAMES WE SHOULD LOSE.

Not any more. Theres a new sheriff in town and he does not put up with that. The DA is gonna shock all the nonbelievers.

Try Some Reality

Imagine these fans’ reaction if Palmer threw 3 picks, like Ryan. Oh, but they won, that’s right, so those picks don’t count. lol. Simple people need to keep things simple.

Try Some Reality

Our QB threw a pick 6. Show him the door. In fact, just keep the door left open if we’re going to usher every QB that throws a pick 6 out of here.

eastoaklandraider

Who gives a schit when a coach throws a player undr the bus when he deserves it, these guys make millions should be able to take a lil critism in or out house they have no problem when they get the praise so handle the critism .
if Im on a team and my teamate has been fcking up all season and then the coach lets the world know about it thats fine by me maybe it will make him play better, but if the guy starts whining and crying ” aww the coach talked bad about me in front of the media I dont wanna play for him anymore” (dont forget they make millions to play a game) I would want him off my team asap fcking puzzy just play better or get the fck out!!! is what I would tell him.

Try Some Reality

Speaking of which, the Falcons should bench Ryan or show him the door. 3 picks? Wow. Inexcusable. Who’s the backup? Play him.

The Beeech Dawg

Total bummer about Ray Lewis, that dude gave sweet pre-game pump up speeches

Once partied with Ray Ray in NYC, he was all hot for one of the Kardashian tramps, I was making out with the bartender

We both ended up face down in a plate of chili cheese fries at Nathan’s, holla

Yo, where’s K-Rat at?

It’s a beautiful day in Switzerland so he’s gotta be logging onto the blog soon

The only excuse is he’s down at the local liquor store buying them out of Malibu Rum

SHIZZ TO THE IZZ TO THE DIZZLE

MonumentRaider

It’s pretty amazing to me that for 10 years we’ve had huge issues at the QB position. We finally get a legitimate starting QB (probably a top 10-12 QB, depending) and people want to bench him for Pryor. Wow.

fingers

Palmers a ball’r…glad to have him at Qb…..he’s no quitter …

eastoaklandraider

Eastoaklandraider Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Who gives a schit when a coach throws a player undr the bus when he deserves it, these guys make millions should be able to take a lil critism in or out house they have no problem when they get the praise so handle the critism .
if Im on a team and my teamate has been fcking up all season and then the coach lets the world know about it thats fine by me maybe it will make him play better, but if the guy starts whining and crying ” aww the coach talked bad about me in front of the media I dont wanna play for him anymore” (dont forget they make millions to play a game) I would want him off my team asap fcking puzzy just play better or get the fck out!!! is what I would tell him.
—————–

when the Pres fcks up the whole world knows about it through the media and they dont cry about it so why should an athlete cry about it and its only a game makes no sense to me.

Of course he is going to act like a man and take responsibility but how many big gains were lost to penalties yesterday and a McFadden fumble were also to blame.

eastoaklandraider

MonumentRaider Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
It’s pretty amazing to me that for 10 years we’ve had huge issues at the QB position. We finally get a legitimate starting QB (probably a top 10-12 QB, depending) and people want to bench him for Pryor. Wow.
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I dont want cp3 benched but I do want TP to get in the games at least to get his feet wet a lil bit in a real game all knapp has to do is install a small package for him. the whiners do it dont think thats too much to ask.

walrushooker

Yesterday was the first time we felt the impact of the old officials coming back. After reading Donaghy’s book, I’m totally under the belief that there are some officials out there that do there best to hurt the Raiders. With ticky tack and BS calls, and there were numerous ones yesterday. That hurt, but I think the biggest blunder was on DA. Palmer’s pass would have been a td if it was one foot to the right. He has to be aggressive and make that throw, I had no problem with it. Mistakes happen. What I can’t get behind is Allen calling a timeout with 47 seconds left on the clock, on the goal line after first down. That was horrible, I see no excuse to do that, bad clock mgmt. Maximum of three plays left, two timeouts left, at most he should have left 30 seconds on that clock.
The biggest problem I had with Hue was at times he looked like he had too much to manage and was over his head. You could see him scrambling on the sidelines. Yesterday’s early timeout had the same feel to it for me, not a fan of our head coach making these mistakes.

IMHO, they should take the quick out route and throw it out of the playbook. Never understood that route and the potential of pick 6 involved with it. The ball has to travel a long way for a few yards gained.
——————–
Totally agree, that’s a horrible call, especially under the circumstances.

blackandsilverside

anyone have a link of the Comartie/Palmer INT ?

DKnight007

How about Alex Smith yesterday?? hahaha

Richraider

Please sell this team now..

Richraider

This team is invested with the Curse/stench of the devil Jew Al davis and they will never be good unless Mark sells this team..Period!!!

Richraider

Reggie and the coaching staff are unprepared to manage a high school team